Electronic service manual display program and recording medium on which the program is recorded, electronic service manual display control method and electronic service manual display control apparatus, program transmission method and program transmission apparatus, and program reception method and program reception apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a superior technique for performing an information search, whereby information related to parts included in a circuit diagram or a board diagram can be obtained by using conventional databases, and whereby the labor required to produce an electronic service manual can be reduced. According to this technique, a board diagram or a circuit diagram is displayed on a drawing display screen. Network connection destination information, which includes URL information for a predetermined server, a type of information to be transmitted to the server and a predetermined transmission method, is read from a local hard disk, for example, provided for a PC (personal computer). When a predetermined manipulation, such as right clicking, is performed for a graphics primitive, the network connection destination information is referred to and menu information that enables selection of a predetermine server is generated and displayed. Further, when a predetermined server is selected on the menu information, a part corresponding to parts identification information that is designated for the selected graphics primitive is searched for, information therefor is obtained, a search request is issued to the predetermined server, and the search results are displayed on a display device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic service manual displayprogram, for displaying on a computer display device a service manualthat provides detailed information for use as a reference whenperforming an inspection or when providing maintenance and repairservicing for products that include an electric circuit or an electroniccircuit; a recording medium on which the display program is recorded; anelectronic service manual display control method and an electronicservice manual display control apparatus; a program transmission methodand a program transmission apparatus; and a program reception method anda program reception apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, many manufacturers, including electric appliance andautomobile makers, produce a variety of products in which electricsystems, such as electric or electronic circuits, are used. Further,provided in correlation with these products are service manuals thatfurnish detailed information for use as a reference for the inspectionor the maintenance and repair of the products. Ordinarily, such servicemanuals are supplied as printed matter, but recently, digitized servicemanuals (electronic service manuals), which can be browsed using PCs(Personal computers), are increasingly being provided.

Multiple technical drawings, such as circuit diagrams and boarddiagrams, are inserted in the service manuals. Required for thetechnical drawings, which include circuit diagrams and board diagrams,are means for arbitrarily enlarging, reducing or moving them duringbrowsing. Therefore, for the electronic service manuals, the use of avector graphics data format is desired, and for this, the most commonvector graphics data format, PDF (Portable Document Format), isemployed.

While most electronic service manuals are those obtained by directlydigitizing the printed matter for the service manuals, there are alsoelectronic service manuals for which a hyperlink, for coupling data, isembedded at a predetermined location so that the display of a circuitdiagram, for example, can be quickly changed to display the caption forthe circuit diagram.

Furthermore, in patent document 1, disclosed below, is a parts searchsystem wherein a server and a user terminal are connected across anetwork, and wherein when the server receives a product or parts searchrequest issued by the user terminal, the server transmits to the userterminal information that is related to a requested product or part.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2002-99550

However, for an electronic service manual wherein a hyperlink isembedded for coupling data, an electronic service manual producer mustdesignate in advance data to be coupled, and moreover, must embed ahyperlink for coupling the data. At present, where there are servicemanuals for a large variety of products and an extensive number of partsare included in the service manuals, an enormous amount of labor isrequired to embed hyperlinks in these parts, and the embedding processis very difficult.

Furthermore, this hyperlink is provided as a very fixed one. Forexample, especially for a PDF file, when URL information such as asearch site is embedded using a hyperlink, the URL information can notbe changed unless special software for PDF processing is employed.Further, since a keyword, for example, can not be transmitted even whena link is connected to a search site, it is impossible, by means ofconventional hyperlink embedding, for information concerning each partto be searched for in a search site. That is, since it is impossiblethrough the embedding of a hyperlink for information concerning eachpart to be searched for in a plurality of search sites and the site of aparts database, and since changes in a setup, by a user, is alsolimited, the usability of a conventional electronic service manual isvery poor.

A part search system disclosed in patent document 1 is a system whereinimages, based on a parts list or a service manual, are browsed by usinga user terminal, and the location of a search requested part is narroweddown in accordance with an instruction given using a mouse, and whereinan enlarged image of a location designated by a user using the mouse anddetailed information therefor are provided by a server, so that thesearch operation initiated by the user is supported. Therefore, in noway is an idea expressed that useful information for parts in a circuitor on a board can be obtained by employing a search site on the Internetor at the site of a parts database.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

To resolve the above described shortcoming, it is one objective of thepresent invention to provide an electronic service manual displayprogram that is superior in searching for information and that canreduce the labor demanded of an electronic service manual producer forthe production of contents; a recording medium on which such a programis recorded; an electronic service manual display control method and anelectronic service manual display control apparatus; a programtransmission method and a program transmission apparatus; and a programreception method and a program reception apparatus. It is also anotherobjective of the present invention to provide an electronic servicemanual display program whereby, for example, search sites on theInternet or the site of a parts database is employed, and an appropriatesearch keyword is transmitted to databases, accumulated in these sites,for the history of an operation failure for each part and for a methodfor correcting the operation failure, so that useful informationconcerning the individual parts can be obtained; a recording medium onwhich such a program is recorded; an electronic service manual displaycontrol method and an electronic service manual display controlapparatus; a program transmission method and a program transmissionapparatus; and a program reception method and a program receptionapparatus.

To achieve the above objectives, according to the present invention,provided is an electronic service manual display program, which permitsa computer to provide a function for displaying, on a display device,information that is related to parts and that is used for apredetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing the parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for thepredetermined product but also the parts mounted on the board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on the board, andwhich permits the computer to perform the steps of:

displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index pageshowing a list of names for, at the least, either the board or thecircuit;

displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a parts tablepage showing a list of the parts;

establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for theboard or a circuit diagram for the circuit, that corresponds to thename, and when one of the names displayed on the index page display areais selected, obtaining from the index page information the drawingidentification information that is designated in correlation with theselected name;

searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained drawingidentification information, and displaying the drawing in a designateddrawing display area;

reading network connection destination information that includes URLinformation for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to thepredetermined server;

establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tothe part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one of thegraphics primitives that constitute the board diagram or the circuitdiagram displayed in the drawing display area, examining the networkconnection destination information and generating and displaying menuinformation that includes a choice for an information search using thepredetermined server;

when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing the partsidentification information included in the graphics primitiveinformation for the selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of the parts is stored with the parts identification informationfor the part, information of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server;

employing the method for transmission to the predetermined server fortransmitting, to the predetermined server specified by the URLinformation, the obtained information of the type to be transmitted tothe predetermined server;

receiving, from the predetermined server, search results informationconcerning the information search that has been performed, by thepredetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

displaying the search results information that is received.

Furthermore, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is an electronic service manual display program,which permits a computer to provide a function for displaying, on adisplay device, information that is related to parts and that is usedfor a predetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing the parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for thepredetermined product but also the parts mounted on the board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on the board, andwhich permits the computer to perform the steps of:

displaying an index page display area for displaying an index page onwhich a list of names for, at the least, either the board or the circuitis published;

displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a parts tablepage on which a list of the parts is published;

displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the least,either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for thecircuit; displaying the index page in the index page display area;

displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display area;

establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for the drawing corresponding to the names, and when one ofthe names displayed in the index page display area is selected,obtaining from the index page information the drawing identificationinformation that is designated for the selected name;

when the thus obtained drawing identification information is informationfor a designation of the board diagram or the circuit diagram, searchingfor and displaying, in the drawing display area, the board diagram orthe circuit diagram that corresponds to the drawing identificationinformation;

when the drawing identification information thus obtained is informationfor a designation of both the board diagram and the circuit diagram,dividing the drawing display area into first and second display areasand searching for and displaying, in the first and second display areas,the board diagram and the circuit diagram that correspond to the drawingidentification information;

reading network connection destination information that includes URLinformation for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to thepredetermined server;

establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tothe part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one of thegraphics primitives that constitute the board diagram or the circuitdiagram displayed in the drawing display area, examining the networkconnection destination information and generating and displaying menuinformation that includes a choice for an information search using thepredetermined server;

when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing the partsidentification information included in the graphics primitiveinformation for the selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of the parts is stored with the parts identification informationfor the part, information of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server;

employing the method for transmission to the predetermined server fortransmitting, to the predetermined server specified by the URLinformation, the obtained information of the type to be transmitted tothe predetermined server;

receiving, from the predetermined server, search results informationconcerning the information search that has been performed, by thepredetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

displaying the search results information that is received.

Further, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is a recording medium, on which recorded is anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingthe parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for the predetermined product but alsothe parts mounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on the board, and that permits the computer to performthe steps of:

displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index pageshowing a list of names for, at the least, either the board or thecircuit;

displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a parts tablepage showing a list of the parts;

establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for theboard or a circuit diagram for the circuit, that corresponds to thename, and when one of the names displayed on the index page display areais selected, obtaining from the index page information the drawingidentification information that is designated in correlation with theselected name;

searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained drawingidentification information, and displaying the drawing in a designateddrawing display area;

reading network connection destination information that includes URLinformation for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to thepredetermined server;

establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tothe part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one of thegraphics primitives that constitute the board diagram or the circuitdiagram displayed in the drawing display area, examining the networkconnection destination information and generating and displaying menuinformation that includes a choice for an information search using thepredetermined server;

when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing the partsidentification information included in the graphics primitiveinformation for the selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of the parts is stored with the parts identification informationfor the part, information of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server;

employing the method for transmission to the predetermined server fortransmitting, to the predetermined server specified by the URLinformation, the obtained information of the type to be transmitted tothe predetermined server;

receiving, from the predetermined server, search results informationconcerning the information search that has been performed, by thepredetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

displaying the search results information that is received.

Furthermore, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is a recording medium, on which recorded is anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingthe parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for the predetermined product but alsothe parts mounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on the board, and that permits the computer to performthe steps of:

displaying an index page display area for displaying an index page onwhich a list of names for, at the least, either the board or the circuitis published;

displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a parts tablepage on which a list of the parts is published;

displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the least,either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for thecircuit; displaying the index page in the index page display area;

displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display area;

establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for the drawing corresponding to the names, and when one ofthe names displayed in the index page display area is selected,obtaining from the index page information the drawing identificationinformation that is designated for the selected name;

when the thus obtained drawing identification information is informationfor a designation of the board diagram or the circuit diagram, searchingfor and displaying, in the drawing display area, the board diagram orthe circuit diagram that corresponds to the drawing identificationinformation;

when the drawing identification information thus obtained is informationfor a designation of both the board diagram and the circuit diagram,dividing the drawing display area into first and second display areasand searching for and displaying, in the first and second display areas,the board diagram and the circuit diagram that correspond to the drawingidentification information;

reading network connection destination information that includes URLinformation for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to thepredetermined server;

establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tothe part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one of thegraphics primitives that constitute the board diagram or the circuitdiagram displayed in the drawing display area, examining the networkconnection destination information and generating and displaying menuinformation that includes a choice for an information search using thepredetermined server;

when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing the partsidentification information included in the graphics primitiveinformation for the selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of the parts is stored with the parts identification informationfor the part, information of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server;

employing the method for transmission to the predetermined server fortransmitting, to the predetermined server specified by the URLinformation, the obtained information of the type to be transmitted tothe predetermined server;

receiving, from the predetermined server, search results informationconcerning the information search that has been performed, by thepredetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

displaying the search results information that is received.

In addition, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is an electronic service manual display controlmethod, for displaying, on a display device, information that is relatedto parts and that is used for a predetermined product constituted by anelectric circuit or an electronic circuit employing the parts ascomponents, and at the least either a board diagram that represents notonly a board used for the predetermined product but also the partsmounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents a circuitprovided on the board, comprising the steps of:

displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index pageshowing a list of names for, at the least, either the board or thecircuit;

displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a parts tablepage showing a list of the parts;

establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for theboard or a circuit diagram for the circuit, that corresponds to thename, and when one of the names displayed on the index page display areais selected, obtaining from the index page information the drawingidentification information that is designated in correlation with theselected name;

searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained drawingidentification information, and displaying the drawing in a designateddrawing display area;

reading network connection destination information that includes URLinformation for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to thepredetermined server;

establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tothe part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one of thegraphics primitives that constitute the board diagram or the circuitdiagram displayed in the drawing display area, examining the networkconnection destination information and generating and displaying menuinformation that includes a choice for an information search using thepredetermined server;

when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing the partsidentification information included in the graphics primitiveinformation for the selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of the parts is stored with the parts identification informationfor the part, information of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server;

employing the method for transmission to the predetermined server fortransmitting, to the predetermined server specified by the URLinformation, the obtained information of the type to be transmitted tothe predetermined server;

receiving, from the predetermined server, search results informationconcerning the information search that has been performed, by thepredetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

displaying the search results information that is received.

Moreover, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is an electronic service manual display controlapparatus, for displaying, on a display device, information that isrelated to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingthe parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for the predetermined product but alsothe parts mounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on the board, comprising:

means for displaying, in a designated index page display area, an indexpage showing a list of names for, at the least, either the board or thecircuit;

means for displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, aparts table page showing a list of the parts;

means for establishing in advance, for each of the names published onthe index page, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for theboard or a circuit diagram for the circuit, that corresponds to thename, and for, when one of the names displayed on the index page displayarea is selected, obtaining from the index page information the drawingidentification information that is designated in correlation with theselected name;

means for searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtaineddrawing identification information, and displaying the drawing in adesignated drawing display area;

means for reading network connection destination information thatincludes URL information for a predetermined server having aninformation search function, information indicating an information typeto be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setupinformation for which is designated information indicating a method fortransmissions to the predetermined server;

means for establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive ofgraphics primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphicsprimitive information, which is parts identification informationcorresponding to the part, and for, when a predetermined operation isperformed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the boarddiagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing display area,examining the network connection destination information and generatingand displaying menu information that includes a choice for aninformation search using the predetermined server;

means for, when the choice is selected in the menu information,employing the parts identification information included in the graphicsprimitive information for the selected graphics primitive, andobtaining, from parts table database information wherein detailedinformation concerning each of the parts is stored with the partsidentification information for the part, information of a type to betransmitted to the predetermined server;

means for employing the method for transmission to the predeterminedserver for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified by theURL information, the obtained information of the type to be transmittedto the predetermined server;

means for receiving, from the predetermined server, search resultsinformation concerning the information search that has been performed,by the predetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

means for displaying the search results information that is received.

Furthermore, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is a program transmission method, for transmittingan electronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingthe parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for the predetermined product but alsothe parts mounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on the board, comprising the steps of:

converting the electronic service manual display program into a digitalsignal sequence, for a communication line or a network, with an addedheader; and

initiating employment of a communication protocol with a partner stationacross the communication line or the network and transmitting thedigital signal sequence,

whereby the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index        page showing a list of names for, at the least, either the board        or the circuit,    -   displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a        parts table page showing a list of the parts,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for a drawing, at the least either a        board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for the        circuit, that corresponds to the name, and when one of the names        displayed on the index page display area is selected, obtaining        from the index page information the drawing identification        information that is designated in correlation with the selected        name,    -   searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained        drawing identification information, and displaying the drawing        in a designated drawing display area,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

Further, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is a program transmission apparatus, fortransmitting an electronic service manual display program that permits acomputer to provide a function for displaying, on a display device,information that is related to parts and that is used for apredetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing the parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for thepredetermined product but also the parts mounted on the board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on the board,comprising:

conversion means for converting the electronic service manual displayprogram into a digital signal sequence, for a communication line or anetwork, with an added header; and

transmission means for initiating employment of a communication protocolwith a partner station across the communication line or the network andtransmitting the digital signal sequence,

wherein the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index        page showing a list of names for, at the least, either the board        or the circuit,    -   displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a        parts table page showing a list of the parts,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for a drawing, at the least either a        board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for the        circuit, that corresponds to the name, and when one of the names        displayed on the index page display area is selected, obtaining        from the index page information the drawing identification        information that is designated in correlation with the selected        name,    -   searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained        drawing identification information, and displaying the drawing        in a designated drawing display area,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

Furthermore, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is a program reception method, for receiving anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingthe parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for the predetermined product but alsothe parts mounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on the board, comprising the steps of:

initiating employment of a communication protocol with a partner stationacross a communication line or a network and receiving a digital signalsequence; and

removing headers from the digital signal sequence and converting thedigital signal sequence used for a communication line or a network intothe original electronic service manual display program,

whereby the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index        page showing a list of names for, at the least, either the board        or the circuit,    -   displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a        parts table page showing a list of the parts,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for a drawing, at the least either a        board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for the        circuit, that corresponds to the name, and when one of the names        displayed on the index page display area is selected, obtaining        from the index page information the drawing identification        information that is designated in correlation with the selected        name,    -   searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained        drawing identification information, and displaying the drawing        in a designated drawing display area,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

Also, to achieve the above objectives, according to the presentinvention, provided is a program reception apparatus, for receiving anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingthe parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for the predetermined product but alsothe parts mounted on the board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on the board, comprising:

reception means for initiating employment of a communication protocolwith a partner station across a communication line or a network andreceiving a digital signal sequence; and

conversion means for removing headers from the digital signal sequenceand converting the digital signal sequence used for a communication lineor a network into the original electronic service manual displayprogram,

wherein the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index        page showing a list of names for, at the least, either the board        or the circuit,    -   displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a        parts table page showing a list of the parts,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for a drawing, at the least either a        board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for the        circuit, that corresponds to the name, and when one of the names        displayed on the index page display area is selected, obtaining        from the index page information the drawing identification        information that is designated in correlation with the selected        name,    -   searching for the drawing designated by the thus obtained        drawing identification information, and displaying the drawing        in a designated drawing display area,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] A hardware configuration diagram used for one embodiment of thepresent invention.

[FIG. 2] A flowchart showing an overview of a service manual displayoperation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 3] A flowchart showing an overview of the display processingperformed in a drawing display mode according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

[FIG. 4] A flowchart showing an overview of the display processingperformed when, in the drawing display mode according to the embodimentof the present invention, a user selects a drawing category on an indexpage.

[FIG. 5] A flowchart showing the processing performed when a graphicsprimitive is selected in a drawing displayed in a frame A under thedisplay conditions for a double-screen mode according to the embodimentof the present invention.

[FIG. 6] A first page for a flowchart showing the processing performedwhen a graphics primitive is selected in a drawing displayed in a frameC or a frame D under the display conditions for a triple-screen modeaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 7] A second page for the flowchart showing the processingperformed when a graphics primitive is selected in a drawing displayedin the frame C or the frame D under the display conditions for thetriple-screen mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 8] A first page of a flowchart showing an overview of the displayprocessing performed, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, when a user selects a part on a parts table page in thedrawing display mode.

[FIG. 9] A second page of the flowchart showing the overview of thedisplay processing performed, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, when the user selects a part on the parts table page in thedrawing display mode.

[FIG. 10] A diagram showing example index XML data and an example indexpage generated based on the index XML data according to the embodimentof the present invention.

[FIG. 11] A diagram showing example parts table XML data and an exampleindex page generated based on the parts table XML data according to theembodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 12] A diagram showing an example SVG data structure according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 13] An example circuit diagram to be displayed by processing SVGdata using an SVG viewer according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

[FIG. 14] An example board diagram to be displayed by processing SVGdata using the SVG viewer according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

[FIG. 15] A diagram showing an example layout (example double-screenmode) for the frame A and a frame B in a browser according to theembodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 16] A diagram showing an example layout (example triple-screenmode) for the frame B, the frame C and the frame D in the browseraccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 17] A diagram showing an index page in the left frame of thebrowser, a circuit diagram in the frame A and a parts table in the frameB in the double-screen mode according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

[FIG. 18] A diagram showing an index page in the left frame of thebrowser, a circuit diagram in the frame C, a board diagram in the frameD and a parts table in the frame B in the triple-screen mode accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 19] A flowchart showing the processing for information that is thebasis for the generation of an SVG viewer context menu under the displayconditions in the double-screen mode or the triple-screen mode accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 20] A diagram showing example network connection destinationinformation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 21] A first page of a flowchart showing the processing performedto search for a graphics primitive in a drawing that is displayed ineither the frame B or the frame C or D under the display conditions inthe double-screen mode or the triple-screen mode according to theembodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 22] A second page of the flowchart showing the processingperformed to search for a graphics primitive in a drawing that isdisplayed in either the frame B or the frame C or D under the displayconditions in the double-screen mode or the triple-screen mode accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 23] A diagram showing the state wherein the SVG viewer contextmenu is displayed on a display device according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

[FIG. 24] A diagram showing an example pseudo entry HTML page accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 25] A diagram showing the configuration of a terminal that cantransmit and receive an electronic service manual display program forthe embodiment of the present invention, and other, additional data.

[FIG. 26] A flowchart employed for the transfer (transmission) of theelectronic service manual display program for the embodiment of thepresent invention, and other, additional data.

[FIG. 27] A flowchart employed for the reception of the electronicservice manual display program for the embodiment of the presentinvention, and other, additional data.

[FIG. 28] An explanatory diagram for the formation of data packetsperformed by a data converter shown in FIG. 25.

[FIG. 29] An explanatory diagram for the recovery of data from thepackets performed by the data converter shown in FIG. 25.

[FIG. 30] A configuration diagram showing a communication network,extended between a transmission side and a reception side, for theelectronic service manual display program for the embodiment of thepresent invention, and other, additional data.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described whilereferring to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardwareconfiguration used for the embodiment of the present invention.Interconnected by a bus 8, in the state shown in FIG. 1, are a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 1, for performing a computation process and acontrol process; a memory 2, for temporarily storing data; a displaydevice 3, such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device or a liquidcrystal display device for visually presenting information; operationinput means 4, such as a keyboard or a mouse for entering an operationor information; a hard disk 5, for storing various digital data; aCD-ROM drive 6, for reading data recorded on a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ReadOnly Memory) 61; and a network card drive 7, for communicating through anetwork 71 with a server 72 or another communication device connected tothe network.

Stored on the hard disk 5 are an OS (Operating System) 51, which is thebasic software for managing software and hardware and for enabling theiruse by an application; an XML parser 52, for analyzing text written inthe XML (extensible Markup Language) data; a browser 53, for analyzingand displaying XML data, analyzed by the XML parser 52, or HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data; and an SVG viewer 54, for displaying vectorgraphics data such as SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) data or SVGZ(compressed SVG) data. It should be noted that the SVG viewer 54 has afunction for enabling the enlarged display and the reduced display ofSVG data and the shifting and the display of SVG data in a drawing.

These applications are executed by the CPU 1. Further, in the statespecifically shown in FIG. 1, the SVG viewer 54 is plugged into thebrowser 53, and the XML parser 52 is provided independently of thebrowser 53. However, an environment wherein, for example, the XML parser52 is incorporated in the browser 53 may be employed. That is, in thiscase, any environment is available so long as XML data or SVG data canbe appropriately displayed by the browser 53.

On the CD-ROM 61 are stored a control program 62, which includes scriptlanguages such as XSL (extensible Stylesheet Language) data used fordetermining the display style of the XML data, HTML data or JavaScript(trademark) data, and contents data 63, which include raster image data,such as XML data or PNG (Potable Network Graphics) data, and vectorgraphics data, such as SVG data or SVGZ data. When these data stored onthe CD-ROM 61 are read by using the CD-ROM drive 6, and are processedand displayed by a script engine mounted in the XML parser 52 or thebrowser 53, contents having a desired form can be displayed on thebrowser 53. It should be noted that the SVG data are vector graphicsdata, the file size of which is smaller than that of PDF data, and iswritten on the XML base.

Further, in addition to the CD-ROM drive 6 and the CD-ROM 61, a setconsisting of a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) reading drive and a DVD, orvarious other recording medium readers and recording media can beemployed. Further, by using the network card drive 7, a control program62 and contents data 63 stored in a predetermined communication device(e.g., the server 72) connected to the network 71 can be obtained, and adesired display can be presented on the browser 53. Also, a requiredcontrol program 62 and required contents data 63 can be stored inadvance on the hard disk 5.

The configuration wherein the CPU 1, the memory 2, the display device 3,the operation input means 4, the hard disk 5, the CD-ROM drive 6 and thenetwork card drive 7 are interconnected by the bus 8 can also beprovided, for example, by a common PC. In the following explanation, anexample is employed wherein a common PC is employed to perform theprocessing related to a service manual and to provide a display for theservice manual.

An explanation will now be given for the processing performed to displaycontents data 63 on the display device 3. For this, a service manualrelated to one specific product will be described. Basically, contentsdata 63 are prepared for each product, so that for one product oneservice manual is available. That is, for example, a service manual isindividually prepared for each model of a DVD audio player. To presentthis service manual, XML data, included with the contents data 63, areemployed as a database.

To display the contents of XML data on the display device 3, first, theXML parser 52 analyzes the hierarchical structure of and the format usedfor the XML data stored on the CD-ROM 61, or in the server 72 or anotherdata storage means. The XML data analyzed by the XML parser 52 are thentransmitted to the browser 53 or the SVG viewer 54, where they areprocessed by referring to predetermined XSL data. The resultant XML dataare then displayed.

A specific explanation will now be given for an index page, a circuitdiagram page, a board diagram page and a parts table page that aregenerated, based on the XML data included in the contents data 63, anddisplayed on the display device 3. The index page and the parts tablepage are set up so that they are displayed by the browser 53, asdesired, in accordance with a data set consisting of XML data for eachcorresponding page and predesignated XSL data. The circuit diagram pageand the board diagram page are set so that they can be displayed by thebrowser 53, as desired, in accordance with SVG data or SVGZ data foreach corresponding page.

For example, in FIG. 10 are shown example XML data (index XML data) fora corresponding index page and the state wherein the index XML data areprocessed and displayed by the browser 53. The index XML data representa correlation of all the circuits mounted in the pertinent model, thebrowsing modes (which will be described later) for displaying SVG datarelated to the individual circuits, the circuit diagram data names(first SVG data names) for displaying detailed circuit diagrams forthese circuits, and the board diagram data names (second SVG data names)for displaying display board diagrams for the individual circuits thatare mounted.

To display index XML data on the browser 53, XSL for an index pagedisplay is used to process the index XML data. For example, an indexpage for displaying the list of circuits is generated based on the indexXML data. The categories (hereinafter also referred to as drawingcategories) in the circuit list can be selected by using a mouse, forexample, and as will be described later, by selecting a drawingcategory, a circuit diagram or a board diagram that corresponds to theselected drawing category (specifically, a circuit diagram (first SVGdata name) or a board diagram (second SVG data name) correlated in theindex XML data) is selectively displayed in a predetermined frame.

Shown in FIG. 11 are example XML data (parts table XML data)corresponding to a parts table page and the state wherein the partstable XML data are processed and displayed on the browser 53. For theparts table XML data, a record is provided for each of the parts, suchas an IC, a resistor and a diode, that constitute a circuit. This recordincludes not only various information such as a symbol number(identification number), a part number and a part name, but also thenames of circuit diagram data and board diagram data where the pertinentpart exists. A symbol number is provided for each part so as tocorrelate each part with a specific symbol number without overlapping,i.e., one record is correlated with one symbol number. Furthermore, theparts table XML data satisfactorily represents all the parts of all thecircuits constituting the model.

To enable the browser 53 to display the parts table XML data, XSL for aparts table page display is used to process the parts table XML data.For example, a parts table page for the display of the list of parts isgenerated based on the parts table XML data. The individual entries(hereinafter also referred to as part entries) in the parts table listcan be selected by using a mouse, for example, and as will be describedlater, by selecting a part entry, a circuit diagram or a board diagramcorresponding to the selected part entry (specifically, a circuitdiagram (first SVG data name) or a board diagram (second SVG data name)correlated in the parts table XML data) is selectively displayed in apredetermined frame.

Shown in FIG. 12 are an example SVG data structure for circuit diagramdata or board diagram data, and the state wherein the SVG data areprocessed and displayed by the browser 53. Further, shown in FIGS. 13and 14 are an example circuit diagram and an example board diagram forwhich display by the SVG viewer is enabled by the processing performedfor the SVG data. The SVG data structure includes [<script>: definitionof a script element], [<z:info>: SVG custom information such as a SVGdata name], [<rect>: designation of the range for one set of graphicsdata] and [<g>: graphics root group to which belong various graphicsprimitives constituting one set of graphics data]. The graphics rootgroup is formed of a plurality of layers [<g>: layer group], eachcomposed of a plurality of graphics primitives [<g>: graphics primitivegroup]. A layer also includes lines [<path>: line drawing element] usedto form the individual graphics primitives, and various text information[<text>: character element], such as the symbol numbers of parts. Itshould be noted that the graphics primitives correspond to the parts,such as ICs, resistors and diodes, that constitute circuits.

The SVG data names are written in the SVG custom information for the SVGdata structure using the same forms as are used for SVG data nameswritten in the index XML data and the parts table XML data, and thesymbol numbers of parts are written in the character elements of the SVGdata structure using the same form as are used for symbol numberswritten in the parts table XML data. That is, the index XML data, theparts table XML data and the SVG data structure are closely correlatedby employing the SVG data names and the symbol numbers for the parts.

In addition to the XML data, SVG data written in the XML data form alsoserve as a database written in the text form. Therefore, in accordancewith a script language such as JavaScript (trademark), a keyword searchcan be easily performed for both the XML data and the SVG data by usinga drawing data name or a symbol number as a keyword. It is especiallyvery useful to employ the above described script language to perform asearch of the SVG data for the graphics primitives, which are drawingdata. Since the coupling process program can be located outside thecontents, electronic service manual producers do not need the operationfor the embedding, for example, of hyperlinks during the production ofelectronic service manuals, so that both the labor expended and the timerequired for production can be considerably reduced.

Next, an explanation will be given for the sequential processingperformed to display a service manual for a specific model. FIG. 2 is aflowchart showing an overview of the service manual display processingperformed according to the embodiment of the present invention. In thefollowing explanation, an example is employed whereby the controlprogram 62 and the contents data 63 required to display a service manualare all stored on and read from, as needed, the CD-ROM 61.

First, while monitoring the display device 3, a user manipulates theoperation input means 4, such as a mouse, to select a file correspondingto a desired service manual. For example, a file corresponding to aservice manual for a DVD audio/video player, model number A1234, isselected by the operation input means 4, such as a mouse.

When the user selects the service manual, the PC performs a process forusing the browser 53 to display the top page of that service manual onthe display device 3 (step S101: Display service manual). At this time,as is shown in FIG. 15 (which will be described later), the area in thebrowser 53 is divided into two frames (a left frame and a right frame),for example, and the index page for the service manual is displayed inone of the frames (the left frame), while a text page in the servicemanual is displayed in the other frame (the right frame). It should benoted that as is shown in FIG. 10, the index page is composed of indexXML data and predetermined XSL data. And the text page, as are all otherpages, is composed of XML text data and predetermined XSL data, and nodetailed explanation will be given for the text page.

Further, as an example, buttons for selecting a mode, either a textdisplay mode or a drawing display mode, are displayed on the tool bar ofthe browser 53. Through a mode selection procedure, for which the modeselection button is used, a user can select either the text display modeor the drawing display mode.

When the drawing display mode is selected by a user (“YES” at stepS103), upon the selection of a category on the index page in the leftframe, a circuit diagram or a board diagram corresponding to theselected category and information concerning parts included in thecircuit diagram, or the board diagram, are displayed in the right frame(step S10S: Present display in drawing display mode).

On the other hand, when the text display mode has been selected by auser (“NO” at step S103), upon the selection of a category on the indexpage in the left frame, text pages including various captions anddrawings corresponding to the selected category are displayed in theright frame (step S107: Present display in text display mode). In thisembodiment, since the display is presented in the text display mode atstep S101, the text display mode is continued when mode selection is notperformed.

The drawing display mode will now be described while referring to theflowchart in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of thedisplay processing performed in the drawing display mode according tothe embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing display mode, asis shown in FIG. 15, subdivision of the right frame is performed toobtain two frames (frames A and B) (step S201: Divide right frame intwo). The frames A and B can be arbitrarily arranged. As an example, theright frame can be divided into an upper and a lower frame, as is shownin FIG. 15. Hereafter, the upper frame in the right frame is calledframe A (drawing display area), and the lower frame is called frame B(parts table page display area). A predetermined top page in the drawingdisplay mode is displayed in frame A (step S203: Display predeterminedpage in frame A), and a parts table page is displayed in frame B (stepS205: Display parts table page in frame B). It should be noted that, asis shown in FIG. 11, the parts table page is generated based on partstable XML data and predetermined XSL data.

While referring to the flowchart in FIG. 4, an explanation will now begiven for an overview of the display processing performed when theprocess at step S205 has been completed and when a user selects adrawing category on the index page displayed in the drawing displaymode. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of the displayprocessing performed, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, when a drawing category on the index page is selected in thedrawing display mode.

When the drawing category displayed on the index page is selected by theuser, first, the PC examines index XML data and obtains an SVG data namerelated to the selected drawing category (step S301: Obtain SVG dataname), and determines a browsing mode for the selected drawing category(step S303: Determine browsing mode). Various methods are available forobtaining the SVG data name. As an example, the SVG data name can beeasily obtained by acquiring the name of a currently displayed file.

The browsing mode designated for each drawing category on the index pageis information indicating that the drawing category includes one or bothof a circuit diagram and a board diagram, and whether subdivision of theframe A should be performed to obtain two more frames (frames C and D)is determined in accordance with the browsing mode. For example, whenthe browsing mode is “1”, as is shown in index XML data in FIG. 10, twosets of SVG data (first and second SVG data) are present as associateddrawings, and in order for these two sets of SVG data to be displayed,subdivision of the frame A should be performed to obtain the two framesC and D in which to display these drawings.

On the other hand, when the browsing mode is “0”, only the first SVGdata is present as an associated drawing, or when the browsing mode is“3”, only the second SVG data is present as an associated drawing andframe subdivision is not required; either the first or the second SVGdata need only be displayed in the current frame A. It may also bedetermined that subdivision of the frame A is not to occur when thenumber of associated SVG data sets is one, or that subdivision of theframe A is to be performed to obtain the two frames C and D when thenumber of associated SVG data sets is two, so that the decision at stepS303 can be made without the browsing mode being used. In thisembodiment, the frame A has been subdivided to obtain the two frames Cand D. However, the frame A may, for example, be subdivided in advanceto obtain the two frames C and D, so that when the number of associatedSVG data sets is one, either frame C or D is not displayed, or when thenumber of associated SVG data sets is two, both frames C and D aredisplayed. That is, in accordance with the decision at step S303,whether to display one drawing in frame A or to independently displaytwo drawings is determined.

When frame A is subdivided as shown in FIG. 16, three frames, B, C andD, are obtained by dividing the right frame, and hereinafter, the statewherein the three frames B, C and D are obtained is called atriple-screen mode. Further, in comparison with the triple-screen mode,the state wherein frames A and B are obtained by dividing the rightframe, but wherein frame A is not subdivided is called a double-screenmode.

As is described above, in accordance with the browsing mode decision atstep S303, either the double-screen or the triple-screen mode isdetermined for the right frame. In the double-screen mode, the first orthe second SVG data is displayed in the frame A (step S305: Displayfirst or second SVG data in frame A). In the triple-screen mode,however, frame A is subdivided to obtain two frames (frames C and D)(step S307: Divide frame A in two). The layout of the frames C and D isarbitrary, and in this embodiment, as an example, frame A is dividedinto left and right frames, as is shown in FIG. 16, and the first SVGdata are displayed in the left frame C (step S309: Display first SVGdata in frame C), while the second SVG data are displayed in the rightframe D (step S311: Display second SVG data in frame D).

When a drawing category is selected on the index page in this manner,the browsing mode for the drawing category is identified. And when thebrowsing mode is the double-screen mode, as is shown in FIG. 17, thefirst or the second SVG data (a board diagram or a circuit diagram) andthe parts table page for the selected drawing category can be displayedin the right frame. On the other hand, when the browsing mode is thetriple-screen mode, as is shown in FIG. 18, the first SVG data (circuitdiagram), the second SVG data (board diagram) for the selected drawingcategory and the parts table page can be displayed in the right frame.

Sequentially, an explanation will be given for the processing performedwhen a graphics primitive is selected in a drawing displayed in theright frame in either the double-screen mode or the triple-screen mode.First, the processing performed when a graphics primitive is selected inthe double-screen mode will be explained. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showingthe processing performed, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, when a graphics primitive is selected in a drawing displayedin frame A in the double-screen mode.

When a user selects a graphics primitive from SVG data (a circuitdiagram or a board diagram) displayed in the frame A in thedouble-screen mode, first, the PC identifies the frame wherein thegraphics primitive was selected (step S401: Identify selection frame).Since in the double-screen mode SVG data is displayed only in frame A,the selection frame is identified as frame A. Then, the name of the SVGdata that include the selected graphics primitive (step S403: Obtain SVGdata name) and the symbol number of the selected graphics primitive areobtained (step S405: Obtain symbol number of selected graphicsprimitive).

Thereinafter, in the double-screen mode, a graphics primitive that isdisplayed in the frame A and has the same symbol number as the selectedgraphics primitive is highlighted (step S407: Highlight selectedgraphics primitive). That is, through this processing, the graphicsprimitive selected by the user is highlighted on display. It should benoted that highlighting enables a user to easily identify a selectedgraphics primitive, by, for example, changing the color of the selectedgraphics primitive, or by causing the selected graphics primitive toblink.

Following this, parts table XML data are examined based on the SVG dataname, which includes the selected graphics primitive and its symbolnumber, so as to search for a record that has both the symbol number andthe SVG data (step S409: Search for record in parts table XML data).

When, as the result of the search at step S409, a pertinent record isfound to be present in the parts table XML data (“YES” at step S411),the entry on the parts table page for the pertinent part is moved to alayout position where it can be easily read by the user (for example,the topmost portion of the frame B), and is displayed using highlighting(step S413: Highlight pertinent part on parts table page). It should benoted, that as well as the highlighting of a graphics primitive, thehighlighting, on the parts table page, of the entry for the pertinentpart enables the user to easily identify it, and that either the colorof the entry for the pertinent part is changed, or the entry for thepertinent part blinks.

Although the parts table XML data should include records for all theparts included in the circuit and board diagrams, the possibility existsthat the pertinent record may not be present in the parts table data,e.g., wherein a component other than a part is selected as a graphicsprimitive (e.g., wherein a signal line that connects parts is selected).When the pertinent part is not present in the parts table XML data, asin the above case (“NO” at step S411), highlighting of an item on theparts table page is not performed and the processing is thereafterterminated.

In this manner, a selected graphics primitive in a board or a circuitdiagram can be highlighted in the frame A displayed in the double-screenmode, and the entry, on the parts table page, of a part corresponding tothe selected graphics primitive can be highlighted in frame B.

An explanation will now be given for the processing performed when agraphics primitive is selected in the triple-screen mode. FIGS. 6 and 7are the first and second pages of a flowchart showing the processingperformed when a graphics primitive is selected in a drawing displayedin one of the frames C and D.

When in the triple-screen mode a user uses, for example, a mouse andselects a graphics primitive in the first SVG data (circuit diagram)displayed in the frame C or a graphics primitive in the second SVG data(board diagram) displayed in the frame D, first, the PC identifies theframe wherein the graphics primitive is selected (step S501: Identifyselected frame). Since SVG data are displayed both in the frames C and Din the triple-screen mode, it is readily apparent that the selectedframe is either the frame C or D.

Then, an SVG data name including the selected graphics primitive isobtained (step S503: Obtain SVG data name), as is the symbol number ofthe selected graphics primitive (step S505: Obtain symbol number ofselected graphics primitive). In the triple-screen mode, graphicsprimitives are displayed in the selected frame, and a graphics primitivehaving the same symbol as the selected graphics primitive is displayedusing highlighting (at step S507: Highlight selected graphicsprimitive). That is, through this process, the selected graphicsprimitive displayed in the frame (either the frame C or D) that includesthe selected graphics primitive is highlighted.

Following this, parts table XML data are examined based on the SVG dataname, which includes the selected graphics primitive, and the symbolnumber of the selected graphics primitive, so as to search for a recordthat includes both the symbol number and the SVG data name (step S509:Search for record in parts table XML data).

When, as a result of the search at step S509, the pertinent record isfound to be present in the parts table XML data (“YES” at step S511),the entry for the pertinent part in the parts table page is moved to alayout position where it can be easily read by the user (e.g., thetopmost in the frame B), and where it is displayed and highlighted (stepS513: Highlight pertinent part on part table page). On the other hand,when the pertinent record is not present in the parts table XML data(“NO” at step S511), a presentation that includes highlighting is notprovided for the parts table page, and the processing is thereafterterminated.

In this embodiment, the same processing as in the double-screen mode hasbeen performed, and in the triple-screen mode, a graphics primitive thatis displayed in a frame differing from the frame including the selectedgraphics primitive must be highlighted. However, there is a case whereina graphics primitive selected in one frame is not included in a drawingdisplayed in the other frame. That is, graphics primitives included indrawings displayed in the two frames C and D do not always correspond toeach other. For example, for a high-density PCB (Print Circuit Board), aplurality of circuits are mounted on a single board, and N circuitdiagrams may correspond to one board diagram. Therefore, when a graphicsprimitive is selected in a board diagram, a check is performed todetermine whether the selected graphics primitive is included in acurrently displayed circuit diagram. When the selected graphicsprimitive is not included in a currently displayed circuit diagram, acircuit diagram that includes the selected graphics primitive must besearched for and displayed, and highlighting and centering must beemployed to display a graphics primitive included in the circuitdiagram. A centering display here means that the circuit diagram isdisplayed in the frame, so that the graphics primitive is presented nearthe center in the frame, which is a layout position that a user caneasily see (hereinafter, the centering display is also employed with themeaning that the drawing is so displayed that the graphics primitive ispresented near the center of the frame).

At step S513, highlighting is employed for the display of the pertinentpart on the parts table page, and then an SVG data name differing fromthe SVG data name obtained at step S503 is designated (at step S515:Designate SVG data name to be displayed in other frame). That is, atstep S515, it is designated that SVG data be displayed in a framedifferent from the frame wherein the graphics primitive was selected.

Thereafter, a check is performed to determine whether the SVG data thatis currently displayed in the other frame (the frame D when a graphicsprimitive is selected from a drawing displayed in the frame C, or theframe C when a graphics primitive is selected from a drawing displayedin the frame D), which is a different frame from the one wherein thegraphics primitive was selected, is the same as the SVG data designatedat step S515 (step S517: SVG data to be displayed currently beingdisplayed in other frame?). When the currently displayed SVG data is notthe same as the SVG data to be displayed, the SVG data designated atstep S515 is displayed in the different frame from the one wherein thegraphics primitive was selected (step S519: Display appropriate SVG datain other frame). Then, for the SVG data displayed at step S519, agraphics primitive having the same symbol number as the selectedgraphics primitive is displayed, highlighted, and is also displayed,centered, in the different frame (other frame) from the one wherein thegraphics primitive was selected (step S521: Display graphics primitivein other frame using highlighting and centering).

In this manner, in the triple-screen mode, a graphics primitive, whichhas been selected in a board diagram or a circuit diagram displayed ineither the frame C or D, is highlighted and displayed, and in the otherframe, the same graphics primitive as the selected graphics primitive isdisplayed using highlighting and centering. Further, the entry for apart that is shown on the parts table page display and that correspondsto the selected graphics primitive can be highlighted and displayed inthe frame B.

An explanation will now be given for the processing performed when aspecific part is selected on the parts table page shown in the frame B.FIGS. 8 and 9 are the first and second pages of a flowchart showing anoverview of the display processing performed, according to theembodiment of the present invention, when a user selects a part on theparts table page in the drawing display mode.

When a user uses, for example, a mouse and selects a part on the partstable page displayed in the frame B, first, the PC examines parts tableXML data and obtains the symbol number of the selected part and the SVGdata name in the record for this part (step S601: Obtain symbol numberof selected part and SVG data name including selected part). Further,the entry for the part selected on the parts table page is highlighted(step S603: Highlight selected part on parts table page).

There are cases wherein only one set of SVG data is entered in therecord for the selected part, and wherein two sets of SVG data areentered. When only one set of SVG data is entered, it is determined thatthe double-screen mode should be used to display a drawing that includesthe part (“Double-screen mode” at step S605). When two sets of SVG dataare entered, it is determined that the triple-screen mode should be usedto display a drawing that includes the part (“Triple-screen mode” atstep S605).

When it is determined at step S605 that the double-screen mode should beused to display the drawing, a check is performed to determine whetherthe SVG data designated at step S601 is currently being displayed in thedouble-screen mode (step S607: SVG data to be displayed being currentlydisplayed in double-screen mode?). When the SVG data designated at stepS601 are currently being displayed in the double-screen mode (“YES” atstep S607), highlighting and centering are used to display a graphicsprimitive having the symbol number of the selected part (step S609:Display pertinent graphics primitive by highlighting and centering).Whereas, when the SVG data designated at step S601 are not beingdisplayed in the double-screen mode (“NO” at step S607), thedouble-screen mode is used to display the SVG data (step S611: Display,in double-screen mode, SVG data to be displayed), and highlighting andcentering are used to display a graphics primitive having the symbolnumber of the selected part (step S613: Display pertinent graphicsprimitive by highlighting and centering).

When it is determined at step S605 that the drawing should be displayedin the triple-screen mode, a check is performed to determine whether twosets of SVG data designated at step S601 are currently being displayedin the triple-screen mode (step S615: SVG data to be displayed beingcurrently displayed in triple-screen mode?). When the two sets of SVGdata designated at step S601 are currently being displayed in thetriple-screen mode (“YES” at step S615), highlighting and centering areused to display in the frames C and D a graphics primitive having thesymbol number of the selected part (step S617: Display pertinentgraphics primitive by highlighting and centering) Whereas, when the twosets of SVG data designated at step S601 are not currently beingdisplayed in the triple-screen mode (“NO” at step S615), thetriple-screen mode is used to display the two sets of SVG data (S619:Display, in triple-screen mode, SVG data to be displayed), andhighlighting and centering are used to display in the frames C and D agraphics primitive having the symbol number of the selected part (stepS621: Display pertinent graphics primitive by highlighting andcentering).

An explanation will now be given for a link function whereby, when adisplay is provided in the double-screen mode or the triple-screen mode(display shown in FIG. 17 or 18) as explained while referring to FIG. 4,information concerning a graphics primitive selected in a drawing istransmitted to an arbitrary Web site. When the link function isemployed, a search function, for example, can also be provided wherebyparts identification information is transmitted to a search site on theInternet and the search results are received and displayed.

First, while referring to FIG. 19, an explanation will be given for thegeneration of an SVG viewer context menu that enables a search forinformation concerning a graphics primitive selected in a drawing. FIG.19 is a flowchart showing the processing for information that is thebasis for the generation of an SVG viewer context menu under the displayconditions in the double-screen mode or the triple-screen mode accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

First, a PC displays SVG data in the double-screen mode or thetriple-screen mode shown in FIG. 17 or 18, and at the same time,performs a basic setup for an SVG viewer context menu (step S1101: Basicsetup of SVG viewer context menu). According to this basic setup, rightclicking using a mouse is employed to set up an SVG viewer context menuthat is to be displayed when an arbitrary location is designated in adrawing. Specifically, various categories, such as a category thatenables switching between an enlargement and a reduction of a drawing,are to be displayed on the SVG viewer context menu.

Then, the PC reads network connection destination information stored inthe PC as cookie information (step S1103: Read network connectiondestination information), and determines whether network connectiondestination information is present (step S1105: Network connectiondestination information present?). When network connection destinationinformation is present (“YES” at step S1105), the network connectiondestination information is embedded in the SVG viewer context menu (stepS1107: Embed network connection destination information in SVG viewercontext menu). Whereas, when network connection destination informationis not present (“NO” at step S1105), there is no network connectiondestination information to be embedded in the SVG viewer context menu,and no special process is performed.

The network connection destination information will now be explained.FIG. 20 is a diagram showing example network connection destinationinformation according to the embodiment of the present invention. Thenetwork connection destination information is, for example, cookieinformation that is stored in local data storage means, such as the harddisk 5. The network connection destination information includes URL(Uniform Resource Locator) information for a Web site to be connectedthrough the network 71, such as the Internet, and the connection style.Specifically, as is shown in FIG. 20, the network connection destinationinformation includes, for a Web site at each connection destination, atitle name (information by which a connection destination can be easilyidentified), URL information, transmission information, a transmissionmethod, a user ID and a user password.

It is preferable that a database site (parts database site) for partsand a search site on the Internet be set up for the network connectiondestination information. A history of operating failures for theindividual parts and methods for correcting the operation failures areaccumulated at the parts database site. Further, information stored inthe parts database site and information for personal sites, wherein dataconcerning parts are open, with good intentions, to the public, areaccumulated in the search site.

As the network connection destination information, a user can designatevarious conventional Web sites, such as a search site and a partsdatabase site, and can also change or correct, as needed, the networkconnection destination information. Furthermore, the network connectioninformation may be distributed to a PC by the server 72, so that theuser does not need to perform the setup.

For each search site and the parts database site, the operation foremploying a specific keyword to browse information associated with thekeyword is basically the same; however, the mode for performing thisoperation differs a little. The transmission information, thetransmission means, the user ID and the user password are designated inaccordance with the operational mode of each Web site.

As the transmission information, a model name, a manual issue number, asymbol number, a part number, a part name and a block number (a numberfor identifying an entire board or an entire circuit) can be employed.In addition, the type of information requested for a search of a Website should be appropriately designated in accordance with the Web siteindicated by the URL information. For example, when the Web site is asearch site, the part number and the part name are to be transmitted,but when the Web site is a parts database site, the symbol number andthe part number are to be transmitted.

The GET or POST transmission method is designated as the transmissionmethod. For the GET transmission, the transmission information istransmitted with the URL information for the connection destination, andfor the POST transmission, the URL information for the connectiondestination and the transmission information are transmitted separately.This transmission method should also be appropriately designated inaccordance with the Web site. The user ID and the user password areinformation used when authentication (including anonymousauthentication) is required for the use of the Web site at theconnection destination.

Since the network connection destination information is embedded in thismanner in the SVG viewer context menu, when the user performs apredetermined manipulation (e.g., right clicking using a mouse), variouscategories, in accordance with the basic setup and the individual Websites described in the network connection destination information, aredisplayed on the SVG viewer context menu.

While referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, an explanation will now be given forthe search processing for searching for information related to agraphics primitive selected in a drawing while a display (display shownin FIG. 17 or 18) is provided in the double-screen mode or thetriple-screen mode. FIGS. 21 and 22 are first and second pages of aflowchart showing the processing performed to search for a graphicsprimitive in a drawing displayed in either the frame B or the frame C orD under the display conditions in the double-screen mode or thetriple-screen mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When a user employs a mouse, for example, and selects a graphicsprimitive in SVG data (a circuit diagram or a board diagram) displayedin either the frame A (double-screen mode) or the frame C or D(triple-screen mode), a PC displays a graphics primitive or a pertinentpart on a parts table page using highlighting, as explained whilereferring to FIG. 5 or FIGS. 6 and 7 (step S1201: Processing in FIG. 5or processing in FIGS. 6 and 7). Further, information (e.g., a symbolnumber) concerning the selected graphics primitive is embedded in theSVG viewer context menu (step S1203: Embed symbol number of selectedgraphics primitive in SVG viewer context menu).

When a manipulation (e.g., right clicking using a mouse) is performed inconsonance with the display of an SVG viewer context menu, an SVG viewercontext menu, which includes a category for the symbol numbers ofgraphics primitives, various categories according to the basic setup anda category for individual Web sites described in the network connectiondestination information, is dynamically generated and displayed on thedisplay device 3 (step S1205: Display SVG viewer context menu).

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the state wherein the SVG viewer contextmenu is displayed on the display device. As is shown in FIG. 23, acategory for the symbol numbers of graphics primitives, variouscategories according to the basic setup and a category for theindividual Web sites described in the network connection destinationinformation are displayed in parallel or hierarchically on the SVGviewer context menu. Further, on the SVG viewer context menu in FIG. 23,the Web sites are displayed in the “favorite” category.

When an arbitrary Web site is selected on the SVG viewer context menu,the processes at steps S401 to S409 in FIG. 5 or the processes at stepsS501 to S509 in FIG. 6 are performed to examine records in the partstable XML data that corresponds to the selected graphics primitive (stepS1207: Processes at steps S401 to S409 or at steps S501 to S509), andwhether a pertinent record is present is determined (steps S1209:Pertinent record present?).

When, as the search results at step S1209, the pertinent record is notpresent in the parts table XML data (“NO” at step S1209), the processingis terminated directly. On the other hand, when as the search results atstep S1209 the pertinent record is present in the parts table XML data(“YES” at step S1209), the network connection destination informationstored on the hard disk 5 is read as cookie information (step S1211:Read network connection destination information). Then, a pseudo entryHTML page is generated by referring to the URL information and thetransmission information that is provided on the SVG viewer context menuin consonance with the selected Web site (step S1213: Generate pseudoentry HTML page).

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example pseudo entry HTML page accordingto the embodiment of the present invention. This pseudo entry HTML pageis generated when a user selects the Web site for parts database AAAthat is indicated in the network connection destination informationshown in FIG. 20. As transmission information, the model name and thepart number are designated in the records of the parts database AAA inthe network connection destination information shown in FIG. 20.Therefore, the PC generates a pseudo entry HTML page in order totransmit, information to the URL for the parts database AAA, the modelname and the part number for the selected graphics primitive. Since thepseudo entry HTML page is to be generated during the search requestprocessing, and is not a page required by a user, the pseudo entry HTMLpage may also be so generated that a user can not browse it.

From among the records for a part corresponding to the graphicsprimitive found at step S1209, information required for the search forthe selected graphics primitive (in this case, the model name and thepart number) is embedded at predetermined locations on the pseudo entryHTML page (step S1215: Embed information required for search in pseudoentry HTML page). Then, the information required for the search istransmitted as information to the URL of the Web site using apredetermined transmission method, and a search is requested (stepS1217: Transmit information to request search). Thereafter, the searchresults are received from the server for the Web site, and a new windowis opened, for example, to display the search results (step S1219:Display search results).

An explanation will now be given for a program transmission method and aprogram reception method that are employed when the electronic servicemanual display program for this invention is transmitted or received assoftware via a communication line/a network. As is described above, inthe configuration shown in FIG. 1, for example, an apparatus thatemploys an electronic service manual can obtain (download) from theserver 72, through the network card drive 7 and the network 71, thecontrol program 62 and the contents data 63 that are required to use theelectronic service manual. The apparatus that employs the electronicservice manual can also supply (upload) to the server 72, through thenetwork card drive 7 and the network 71, the control program 62 and thecontents data 63 that are required to use the electronic service manual.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of a terminal that cantransmit and receive the electronic service manual display program forthe embodiment of the invention, and the other, additional data. Thecontrol program 62 and the contents data 63 are transmitted by aterminal T0 to a communication line (e.g., a CATV network) or a network(e.g., the Internet), and are transferred as packets to another host inaccordance with a communication protocol. Further, for the reception ofthe control program 62 and the contents data 63 from another host, thecontrol program 62 and the contents data 63 are received as packets, andare stored, for example, in the RAM for the CPU 1 or the memory 2. Itshould be noted that the terminal T0 specifically represents a specificdata transmission/reception function included in the apparatus thatemploys the electronic service manual and the server 72 shown in FIG. 1.

The terminal T0 in FIG. 25 comprises: a reception buffer T1, atransmission buffer T2, a communication interface adaptor (Adaptor) T3,a data converter T4, a controller T5 and a communication terminal T6.The controller T5 controls the operations of the individual componentsof the terminal T0, and executes the transmission processing sequencesin a flowchart in FIG. 26 and the reception processing sequences in aflowchart in FIG. 27.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for the transfer (transmission) of the electronicservice manual display program for the embodiment of the presentinvention, and other, additional data. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 26for the transfer (transmission), for example, as is shown in FIG. 28,the electronic service manual display program (program information)according to this invention is broken by the data converter T4, via thetransmission buffer T2, into blocks (called packets) P1, P2 and P3 ofpredetermined sizes (step S2001). Then, headers (addresses) are added,and the resultant packets are assembled or formatted into a digitalsignal sequence (step S2002). The packets are then transmitted from thecommunication terminal T6 to a communication network NW (correspondingto the network 71 in FIG. 1) through the adaptor T3, which employs acommunication protocol to connect with a partner station (step S2003).The information carried by the packets shown in FIG. 28, which arerouted across a communication network NW, is supplied in accordance withthe communication protocol through a router R, which selects an optimalroute, and a packet exchange Pn (n=1, 2, . . . , k) to the communicationterminal T6 of the partner station in the communication networkconfiguration shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for the reception of the electronic servicemanual display program for the embodiment of the present invention, andthe other, additional data. The headers of the above describedinformation received through the communication terminal T6 and theadaptor T3 are removed by the data converter T4, as is shown in FIG. 29(step S3001). The resultant information is arranged in the order P1, P2and P3, and the original data is recovered (step S3002). The thusobtained data is supplied as a program, through the reception buffer T1,to the internal memory (e.g., the RAM of the CPU 1 shown in FIG. 1)(step S3003). In this manner, the information is transmitted as packetsto a partner station (a plurality of stations is also available),whereat the original information is recovered. Through this processing,the control program related to the electronic service manual, and thecontents data, are transferred (transmitted) to and used by a partner.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a requesting station (receptionstation) browses the Web page of a data supplying station (atransmission station or a server) and requests (accesses through theInternet), from among items available on the Web page, a desired controlprogram and contents data, and that the transmission station, uponreceiving the request, transmits the control program and the contentsdata to the requesting station. For the Internet, the TCP/IP protocolsuite, for example, is generally employed as the communication interfaceadaptor T3. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to theabove described data transmission/reception mode, and in addition to themode for transmitting data upon the reception of a request,unidirectional data transmission from the data supplying station to theother (reception station) is also enabled.

In this specification, an explanation has basically been given for themode wherein the operation of this invention is performed when a CPUmounted in a computer, such as a PC, executes a predetermined program.In this case, as an example, the means for performing the steps in theindividual flowcharts are provided by the CPU. However, when these meansare constituted by hardware, a display control apparatus that providesthe electronic service manual according to the invention, a transmissionapparatus for transmitting a control program and contents data, and areception apparatus for receiving a control program and contents datacan also be obtained.

Technical ideas, other the claims, an understanding of which can beobtained during the course of the embodiment of the present inventionwill now be described.

An electronic service manual display program comprising a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

A recording medium, on which recorded is an electronic service manualdisplay program that comprises a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

An electronic service manual display control method, for displaying, ona display device, information that is related to parts and that is usedfor a predetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing the parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for thepredetermined product but also the parts mounted on the board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on the board,comprising the steps of:

displaying an index page display area for displaying an index page onwhich a list of names for, at the least, either the board or the circuitis published;

displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a parts tablepage on which a list of the parts is published;

displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the least,either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for thecircuit;

displaying the index page in the index page display area;

displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display area;

establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for the drawing corresponding to the names, and when one ofthe names displayed in the index page display area is selected,obtaining from the index page information the drawing identificationinformation that is designated for the selected name;

when the thus obtained drawing identification information is informationfor a designation of the board diagram or the circuit diagram, searchingfor and displaying, in the drawing display area, the board diagram orthe circuit diagram that corresponds to the drawing identificationinformation;

when the drawing identification information thus obtained is informationfor a designation of both the board diagram and the circuit diagram,dividing the drawing display area into first and second display areasand searching for and displaying, in the first and second display areas,the board diagram and the circuit diagram that correspond to the drawingidentification information;

reading network connection destination information that includes URLinformation for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to thepredetermined server;

establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tothe part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one of thegraphics primitives that constitute the board diagram or the circuitdiagram displayed in the drawing display area, examining the networkconnection destination information and generating and displaying menuinformation that includes a choice for an information search using thepredetermined server;

when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing the partsidentification information included in the graphics primitiveinformation for the selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of the parts is stored with the parts identification informationfor the part, information of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server;

employing the method for transmission to the predetermined server fortransmitting, to the predetermined server specified by the URLinformation, the obtained information of the type to be transmitted tothe predetermined server;

receiving, from the predetermined server, search results informationconcerning the information search that has been performed, by thepredetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

displaying the search results information that is received.

An electronic service manual display control method comprising a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

An electronic service manual display control apparatus, for displaying,on a display device, information that is related to parts and that isused for a predetermined product constituted by an electric circuit oran electronic circuit employing the parts as components, and at theleast either a board diagram that represents not only a board used forthe predetermined product but also the parts mounted on the board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on the board,comprising:

means for displaying an index page display area for displaying an indexpage on which a list of names for, at the least, either the board or thecircuit is published;

means for displaying a parts table page display area for displaying aparts table page on which a list of the parts is published;

means for displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at theleast, either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram for thecircuit;

means for displaying the index page in the index page display area;

means for displaying the parts table page in the parts table pagedisplay area;

means for establishing in advance, for each of the names published onthe index page, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for the drawing corresponding to the names, and for, whenone of the names displayed in the index page display area is selected,obtaining from the index page information the drawing identificationinformation that is designated for the selected name;

means for, when the thus obtained drawing identification information isinformation for a designation of the board diagram or the circuitdiagram, searching for and displaying, in the drawing display area, theboard diagram or the circuit diagram that corresponds to the drawingidentification information;

means for, when the drawing identification information thus obtained isinformation for a designation of both the board diagram and the circuitdiagram, dividing the drawing display area into first and second displayareas and searching for and displaying, in the first and second displayareas, the board diagram and the circuit diagram that correspond to thedrawing identification information;

means for reading network connection destination information thatincludes URL information for a predetermined server having aninformation search function, information indicating an information typeto be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setupinformation for which is designated information indicating a method fortransmissions to the predetermined server;

means for establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive ofgraphics primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphicsprimitive information, which is parts identification informationcorresponding to the part, and for, when a predetermined operation isperformed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the boarddiagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing display area,examining the network connection destination information and generatingand displaying menu information that includes a choice for aninformation search using the predetermined server;

means for, when the choice is selected in the menu information,employing the parts identification information included in the graphicsprimitive information for the selected graphics primitive, andobtaining, from parts table database information wherein detailedinformation concerning each of the parts is stored with the partsidentification information for the part, information of a type to betransmitted to the predetermined server;

means for employing the method for transmission to the predeterminedserver for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified by theURL information, the obtained information of the type to be transmittedto the predetermined server;

means for receiving, from the predetermined server, search resultsinformation concerning the information search that has been performed,by the predetermined server, based on the information transmitted to thepredetermined server; and

means for displaying the search results information that is received.

An electronic service manual display control apparatus comprising:

means for, before the obtained information, of a type to be transmittedto the predetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device, for embedding, at a predeterminedlocation on the information transmission page, the information of thetype to be transmitted to the predetermined server, and fortransmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

A program transmission method, for transmitting an electronic servicemanual display program that permits a computer to provide a function fordisplaying, on a display device, information that is related to partsand that is used for a predetermined product constituted by an electriccircuit or an electronic circuit employing the parts as components, andat the least either a board diagram that represents not only a boardused for the predetermined product but also the parts mounted on theboard, or a circuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on theboard, comprising the steps of:

converting the electronic service manual display program into a digitalsignal sequence, for a communication line or a network, with an addedheader; and

initiating employment of a communication protocol with a partner stationacross the communication line or the network and transmitting thedigital signal sequence,

whereby the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying an index page display area for displaying an index        page on which a list of names for, at the least, either the        board or the circuit is published,    -   displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a        parts table page on which a list of the parts is published,    -   displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the        least, either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram        for the circuit,    -   displaying the index page in the index page display area,        displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display        area,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for the drawing corresponding to the        names, and when one of the names displayed in the index page        display area is selected, obtaining from the index page        information the drawing identification information that is        designated for the selected name,    -   when the thus obtained drawing identification information is        information for a designation of the board diagram or the        circuit diagram, searching for and displaying, in the drawing        display area, the board diagram or the circuit diagram that        corresponds to the drawing identification information,    -   when the drawing identification information thus obtained is        information for a designation of both the board diagram and the        circuit diagram, dividing the drawing display area into first        and second display areas and searching for and displaying, in        the first and second display areas, the board diagram and the        circuit diagram that correspond to the drawing identification        information,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

A program transmission method, for transmitting an electronic servicemanual display program that comprises a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

A program transmission apparatus, for transmitting an electronic servicemanual display program that permits a computer to provide a function fordisplaying, on a display device, information that is related to partsand that is used for a predetermined product constituted by an electriccircuit or an electronic circuit employing the parts as components, andat the least either a board diagram that represents not only a boardused for the predetermined product but also the parts mounted on theboard, or a circuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on theboard, comprising:

conversion means for converting the electronic service manual displayprogram into a digital signal sequence, for a communication line or anetwork, with an added header; and

transmission means for initiating employment of a communication protocolwith a partner station across the communication line or the network andtransmitting the digital signal sequence,

wherein the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying an index page display area for displaying an index        page on which a list of names for, at the least, either the        board or the circuit is published,    -   displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a        parts table page on which a list of the parts is published,    -   displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the        least, either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram        for the circuit,    -   displaying the index page in the index page display area,    -   displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display        area,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for the drawing corresponding to the        names, and when one of the names displayed in the index page        display area is selected, obtaining from the index page        information the drawing identification information that is        designated for the selected name,    -   when the thus obtained drawing identification information is        information for a designation of the board diagram or the        circuit diagram, searching for and displaying, in the drawing        display area, the board diagram or the circuit diagram that        corresponds to the drawing identification information,    -   when the drawing identification information thus obtained is        information for a designation of both the board diagram and the        circuit diagram, dividing the drawing display area into first        and second display areas and searching for and displaying, in        the first and second display areas, the board diagram and the        circuit diagram that correspond to the drawing identification        information,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

A program transmission apparatus, for transmitting an electronic servicemanual display program that comprises a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

A program reception method, for receiving an electronic service manualdisplay program that permits a computer to provide a function fordisplaying, on a display device, information that is related to partsand that is used for a predetermined product constituted by an electriccircuit or an electronic circuit employing the parts as components, andat the least either a board diagram that represents not only a boardused for the predetermined product but also the parts mounted on theboard, or a circuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on theboard, comprising the steps of:

initiating employment of a communication protocol with a partner stationacross a communication line or a network and receiving a digital signalsequence; and

removing headers from the digital signal sequence and converting thedigital signal sequence used for a communication line or a network intothe original electronic service manual display program,

whereby the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying an index page display area for displaying an index        page on which a list of names for, at the least, either the        board or the circuit is published,    -   displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a        parts table page on which a list of the parts is published,    -   displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the        least, either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram        for the circuit,    -   displaying the index page in the index page display area,    -   displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display        area,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for the drawing corresponding to the        names, and when one of the names displayed in the index page        display area is selected, obtaining from the index page        information the drawing identification information that is        designated for the selected name,    -   when the thus obtained drawing identification information is        information for a designation of the board diagram or the        circuit diagram, searching for and displaying, in the drawing        display area, the board diagram or the circuit diagram that        corresponds to the drawing identification information,    -   when the drawing identification information thus obtained is        information for a designation of both the board diagram and the        circuit diagram, dividing the drawing display area into first        and second display areas and searching for and displaying, in        the first and second display areas, the board diagram and the        circuit diagram that correspond to the drawing identification        information,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

A program reception method, for receiving an electronic service manualdisplay program that comprises a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

A program reception apparatus, for receiving an electronic servicemanual display program that permits a computer to provide a function fordisplaying, on a display device, information that is related to partsand that is used for a predetermined product constituted by an electriccircuit or an electronic circuit employing the parts as components, andat the least either a board diagram that represents not only a boardused for the predetermined product but also the parts mounted on theboard, or a circuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on theboard, comprising:

reception means for initiating employment of a communication protocolwith a partner station across a communication line or a network andreceiving a digital signal sequence; and

conversion means for removing headers from the digital signal sequenceand converting the digital signal sequence used for a communication lineor a network into the original electronic service manual displayprogram,

wherein the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof

-   -   displaying an index page display area for displaying an index        page on which a list of names for, at the least, either the        board or the circuit is published,    -   displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a        parts table page on which a list of the parts is published,    -   displaying a drawing display area to display a drawing, at the        least, either a board diagram for the board or a circuit diagram        for the circuit,    -   displaying the index page in the index page display area,    -   displaying the parts table page in the parts table page display        area,    -   establishing in advance, for each of the names published on the        index page, index page information, which is drawing        identification information for the drawing corresponding to the        names, and when one of the names displayed in the index page        display area is selected, obtaining from the index page        information the drawing identification information that is        designated for the selected name,    -   when the thus obtained drawing identification information is        information for a designation of the board diagram or the        circuit diagram, searching for and displaying, in the drawing        display area, the board diagram or the circuit diagram that        corresponds to the drawing identification information,    -   when the drawing identification information thus obtained is        information for a designation of both the board diagram and the        circuit diagram, dividing the drawing display area into first        and second display areas and searching for and displaying, in        the first and second display areas, the board diagram and the        circuit diagram that correspond to the drawing identification        information,    -   reading network connection destination information that includes        URL information for a predetermined server having an information        search function, information indicating an information type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server, and search setup        information for which is designated information indicating a        method for transmissions to the predetermined server,    -   establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphics        primitives that are constituents of the drawing, graphics        primitive information, which is parts identification information        corresponding to the part, and when a predetermined operation is        performed for one of the graphics primitives that constitute the        board diagram or the circuit diagram displayed in the drawing        display area, examining the network connection destination        information and generating and displaying menu information that        includes a choice for an information search using the        predetermined server,    -   when the choice is selected in the menu information, employing        the parts identification information included in the graphics        primitive information for the selected graphics primitive, and        obtaining, from parts table database information wherein        detailed information concerning each of the parts is stored with        the parts identification information for the part, information        of a type to be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   employing the method for transmission to the predetermined        server for transmitting, to the predetermined server specified        by the URL information, the obtained information of the type to        be transmitted to the predetermined server,    -   receiving, from the predetermined server, search results        information concerning the information search that has been        performed, by the predetermined server, based on the information        transmitted to the predetermined server, and    -   displaying the search results information that is received.

A program reception apparatus, for receiving an electronic servicemanual display program that comprises a step of

before the obtained information, of a type to be transmitted to thepredetermined server, is transmitted to the predetermined server,generating an information transmission page on which a function isdesignated for employing a method, for a transmission to thepredetermined server, for transmitting information of the type to betransmitted, so that the information transmission page need not bedisplayed on the display device,

embedding, at a predetermined location on the information transmissionpage, the information of the type to be transmitted to the predeterminedserver, and

transmitting, to the predetermined server, the information of the typethat is embedded in the information transmission page and is to betransmitted to the predetermined server.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As is described above, the present invention relates to the browsing ofthe contents of an electronic service manual, and is effective for: anelectronic service manual display program that is superior in theperformance of an information search, whereby various data for agraphics primitive arbitrarily selected by a user can be transmitted toWeb sites that are connected to the Internet or to an intranet, andwhereby conventional databases on the Internet, such as a search siteand a parts database site, are employed, and an appropriate searchkeyword is transmitted to the databases accumulated at these sites,whereat the history of operating failures of individual parts or methodsfor correcting the operating failures are stored, so that usefulinformation for the individual parts can be obtained; a recording mediumon which such a program is recorded; an electronic service manualdisplay control method and an electronic service manual display controlapparatus; a program transmission method and a program transmissionapparatus; and a program reception method and a program receptionapparatus. Further, the present invention is effective as an electronicservice manual display program, which can reduce the labor required ofan electronic service manual producer for the production of contents; arecording medium on which such a program is recorded; an electronicservice manual display control method and an electronic service manualdisplay apparatus; a program transmission method and a programtransmission apparatus; and a program reception method and a programreception apparatus.

1. An electronic service manual display program, which permits acomputer to provide a function for displaying, on a display device,information that is related to parts and that is used for apredetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing said parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for saidpredetermined product but also said parts mounted on said board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on said board, andwhich permits said computer to perform the steps of: displaying, in adesignated index page display area, an index page showing a list ofnames for, at the least, either said board or said circuit; displaying,in a designated parts table page display area, a parts table pageshowing a list of said parts; establishing in advance, for each of saidnames published on said index page, index page information, which isdrawing identification information for a drawing, at the least either aboard diagram for said board or a circuit diagram for said circuit, thatcorresponds to said name, and when one of said names displayed on saidindex page display area is selected, obtaining from said index pageinformation said drawing identification information that is designatedin correlation with said selected name; searching for said drawingdesignated by said thus obtained drawing identification information, anddisplaying said drawing in a designated drawing display area; readingnetwork connection destination information that includes URL informationfor a predetermined server having an information search function,information indicating an information type to be transmitted to saidpredetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to saidpredetermined-server; establishing, in advance for one graphicsprimitive of graphics primitives that are constituents of said drawing,graphics primitive information, which is parts identificationinformation corresponding to said part, and when a predeterminedoperation is performed for one of said graphics primitives thatconstitute said board diagram or said circuit diagram displayed in saiddrawing display area, examining said network connection destinationinformation and generating and displaying menu information that includesa choice for an information search using said predetermined server; whensaid choice is selected in said menu information, employing said partsidentification information included in said graphics primitiveinformation for said selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of said parts is stored with said parts identification informationfor said part, information of a type to be transmitted to saidpredetermined server; employing said method for transmission to saidpredetermined server for transmitting, to said predetermined serverspecified by said URL information, said obtained information of saidtype to be transmitted to said predetermined server; receiving, fromsaid predetermined server, search results information concerning saidinformation search that has been performed, by said predeterminedserver, based on said information transmitted to said predeterminedserver; and displaying said search results information that is received.2. An electronic service manual display program, which permits acomputer to provide a function for displaying, on a display device,information that is related to parts and that is used for apredetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing said parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for saidpredetermined product but also said parts mounted on said board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on said board, andwhich permits said computer to perform the steps of: displaying an indexpage display area for displaying an index page on which a list of namesfor, at the least, either said board or said circuit is published;displaying a parts table page display area for displaying a parts tablepage on which a list of said parts is published; displaying a drawingdisplay area to display a drawing, at the least, either a board diagramfor said board or a circuit diagram for said circuit; displaying saidindex page in said index page display area; displaying said parts tablepage in said parts table page display area; establishing in advance, foreach of said names published on said index page, index page information,which is drawing identification information for said drawingcorresponding to said names, and when one of said names displayed insaid index page display area is selected, obtaining from said index pageinformation said drawing identification information that is designatedfor said selected name; when said thus obtained drawing identificationinformation is information for a designation of said board diagram orsaid circuit diagram, searching for and displaying, in said drawingdisplay area, said board diagram or said circuit diagram thatcorresponds to said drawing identification information; when saiddrawing identification information thus obtained is information for adesignation of both said board diagram and said circuit diagram,dividing said drawing display area into first and second display areasand searching for and displaying, in said first and second displayareas, said board diagram and said circuit diagram that correspond tosaid drawing identification information; reading network connectiondestination information that includes URL information for apredetermined server having an information search function, informationindicating an information type to be transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and search setup information for which is designated informationindicating a method for transmissions to said predetermined server;establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of said drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tosaid part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one ofsaid graphics primitives that constitute said board diagram or saidcircuit diagram displayed in said drawing display area, examining saidnetwork connection destination information and generating and displayingmenu information that includes a choice for an information search usingsaid predetermined server; when said choice is selected in said menuinformation, employing said parts identification information included insaid graphics primitive information for said selected graphicsprimitive, and obtaining, from parts table database information whereindetailed information concerning each of said parts is stored with saidparts identification information for said part, information of a type tobe transmitted to said predetermined server; employing said method fortransmission to said predetermined server for transmitting, to saidpredetermined server specified by said URL information, said obtainedinformation of said type to be transmitted to said predetermined server;receiving, from said predetermined server, search results informationconcerning said information search that has been performed, by saidpredetermined server, based on said information transmitted to saidpredetermined server; and displaying said search results informationthat is received.
 3. A recording medium, on which recorded is anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingsaid parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for said predetermined product but alsosaid parts mounted on said board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on said board, and that permits said computer toperform the steps of: displaying, in a designated index page displayarea, an index page showing a list of names for, at the least, eithersaid board or said circuit; displaying, in a designated parts table pagedisplay area, a parts table page showing a list of said parts;establishing in advance, for each of said names published on said indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for saidboard or a circuit diagram for said circuit, that corresponds to saidname, and when one of said names displayed on said index page displayarea is selected, obtaining from said index page information saiddrawing identification information that is designated in correlationwith said selected name; searching for said drawing designated by saidthus obtained drawing identification information, and displaying saiddrawing in a designated drawing display area; reading network connectiondestination information that includes URL information for apredetermined server having an information search function, informationindicating an information type to be transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and search setup information for which is designated informationindicating a method for transmissions to said predetermined server;establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of said drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tosaid part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one ofsaid graphics primitives that constitute said board diagram or saidcircuit diagram displayed in said drawing display area, examining saidnetwork connection destination information and generating and displayingmenu information that includes a choice for an information search usingsaid predetermined server; when said choice is selected in said menuinformation, employing said parts identification information included insaid graphics primitive information for said selected graphicsprimitive, and obtaining, from parts table database information whereindetailed information concerning each of said parts is stored with saidparts identification information for said part, information of a type tobe transmitted to said predetermined server; employing said method fortransmission to said predetermined server for transmitting, to saidpredetermined server specified by said URL information, said obtainedinformation of said type to be transmitted to said predetermined server;receiving, from said predetermined server, search results informationconcerning said information search that has been performed, by saidpredetermined server, based on said information transmitted to saidpredetermined server; and displaying said search results informationthat is received.
 4. A recording medium, on which recorded is anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingsaid parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for said predetermined product but alsosaid parts mounted on said board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on said board, and that permits said computer toperform the steps of: displaying an index page display area fordisplaying an index page on which a list of names for, at the least,either said board or said circuit is published; displaying a parts tablepage display area for displaying a parts table page on which a list ofsaid parts is published; displaying a drawing display area to display adrawing, at the least, either a board diagram for said board or acircuit diagram for said circuit; displaying said index page in saidindex page display area; displaying said parts table page in said partstable page display area; establishing in advance, for each of said namespublished on said index page, index page information, which is drawingidentification information for said drawing corresponding to said names,and when one of said names displayed in said index page display area isselected, obtaining from said index page information said drawingidentification information that is designated for said selected name;when said thus obtained drawing identification information isinformation for a designation of said board diagram or said circuitdiagram, searching for and displaying, in said drawing display area,said board diagram or said circuit diagram that corresponds to saiddrawing identification information; when said drawing identificationinformation thus obtained is information for a designation of both saidboard diagram and said circuit diagram, dividing said drawing displayarea into first and second display areas and searching for anddisplaying, in said first and second display areas, said board diagramand said circuit diagram that correspond to said drawing identificationinformation; reading network connection destination information thatincludes URL information for a predetermined server having aninformation search function, information indicating an information typeto be transmitted to said predetermined server, and search setupinformation for which is designated information indicating a method fortransmissions to said predetermined server; establishing, in advance forone graphics primitive of graphics primitives that are constituents ofsaid drawing, graphics primitive information, which is partsidentification information corresponding to said part, and when apredetermined operation is performed for one of said graphics primitivesthat constitute said board diagram or said circuit diagram displayed insaid drawing display area, examining said network connection destinationinformation and generating and displaying menu information that includesa choice for an information search using said predetermined server; whensaid choice is selected in said menu information, employing said partsidentification information included in said graphics primitiveinformation for said selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of said parts is stored with said parts identification informationfor said part, information of a type to be transmitted to saidpredetermined server; employing said method for transmission to saidpredetermined server for transmitting, to said predetermined serverspecified by said URL information, said obtained information of saidtype to be transmitted to said predetermined server; receiving, fromsaid predetermined server, search results information concerning saidinformation search that has been performed, by said predeterminedserver, based on said information transmitted to said predeterminedserver; and displaying said search results information that is received.5. An electronic service manual display control method, for displaying,on a display device, information that is related to parts and that isused for a predetermined product constituted by an electric circuit oran electronic circuit employing said parts as components, and at theleast either a board diagram that represents not only a board used forsaid predetermined product but also said parts mounted on said board, ora circuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on said board,comprising the steps of: displaying, in a designated index page displayarea, an index page showing a list of names for, at the least, eithersaid board or said circuit; displaying, in a designated parts table pagedisplay area, a parts table page showing a list of said parts;establishing in advance, for each of said names published on said indexpage, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for saidboard or a circuit diagram for said circuit, that corresponds to saidname, and when one of said names displayed on said index page displayarea is selected, obtaining from said index page information saiddrawing identification information that is designated in correlationwith said selected name; searching for said drawing designated by saidthus obtained drawing identification information, and displaying saiddrawing in a designated drawing display area; reading network connectiondestination information that includes URL information for apredetermined server having an information search function, informationindicating an information type to be transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and search setup information for which is designated informationindicating a method for transmissions to said predetermined server;establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of said drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tosaid part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one ofsaid graphics primitives that constitute said board diagram or saidcircuit diagram displayed in said drawing display area, examining saidnetwork connection destination information and generating and displayingmenu information that includes a choice for an information search usingsaid predetermined server; when said choice is selected in said menuinformation, employing said parts identification information included insaid graphics primitive information for said selected graphicsprimitive, and obtaining, from parts table database information whereindetailed information concerning each of said parts is stored with saidparts identification information for said part, information of a type tobe transmitted to said predetermined server; employing said method fortransmission to said predetermined server for transmitting, to saidpredetermined server specified by said URL information, said obtainedinformation of said type to be transmitted to said predetermined server;receiving, from said predetermined server, search results informationconcerning said information search that has been performed, by saidpredetermined server, based on said information transmitted to saidpredetermined server; and displaying said search results informationthat is received.
 6. An electronic service manual display controlapparatus, for displaying, on a display device, information that isrelated to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingsaid parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for said predetermined product but alsosaid parts mounted on said board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on said board, comprising: means for displaying, in adesignated index page display area, an index page showing a list ofnames for, at the least, either said board or said circuit; means fordisplaying, in a designated parts table page display area, a parts tablepage showing a list of said parts; means for establishing in advance,for each of said names published on said index page, index pageinformation, which is drawing identification information for a drawing,at the least either a board diagram for said board or a circuit diagramfor said circuit, that corresponds to said name, and for, when one ofsaid names displayed on said index page display area is selected,obtaining from said index page information said drawing identificationinformation that is designated in correlation with said selected name;means for searching for said drawing designated by said thus obtaineddrawing identification information, and displaying said drawing in adesignated drawing display area; means for reading network connectiondestination information that includes URL information for apredetermined server having an information search function, informationindicating an information type to be transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and search setup information for which is designated informationindicating a method for transmissions to said predetermined server;means for establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive ofgraphics primitives that are constituents of said drawing, graphicsprimitive information, which is parts identification informationcorresponding to said part, and for, when a predetermined operation isperformed for one of said graphics primitives that constitute said boarddiagram or said circuit diagram displayed in said drawing display area,examining said network connection destination information and generatingand displaying menu information that includes a choice for aninformation search using said predetermined server; means for, when saidchoice is selected in said menu information, employing said partsidentification information included in said graphics primitiveinformation for said selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of said parts is stored with said parts identification informationfor said part, information of a type to be transmitted to saidpredetermined server; means for employing said method for transmissionto said predetermined server for transmitting, to said predeterminedserver specified by said URL information, said obtained information ofsaid type to be transmitted to said predetermined server; means forreceiving, from said predetermined server, search results informationconcerning said information search that has been performed, by saidpredetermined server, based on said information transmitted to saidpredetermined server; and means for displaying said search resultsinformation that is received.
 7. A program transmission method, fortransmitting an electronic service manual display program that permits acomputer to provide a function for displaying, on a display device,information that is related to parts and that is used for apredetermined product constituted by an electric circuit or anelectronic circuit employing said parts as components, and at the leasteither a board diagram that represents not only a board used for saidpredetermined product but also said parts mounted on said board, or acircuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on said board,comprising the steps of: converting the electronic service manualdisplay program into a digital signal sequence, for a communication lineor a network, with an added header; and initiating employment of acommunication protocol with a partner station across the communicationline or the network and transmitting the digital signal sequence,whereby the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index pageshowing a list of names for, at the least, either said board or saidcircuit, displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, aparts table page showing a list of said parts, establishing in advance,for each of said names published on said index page, index pageinformation, which is drawing identification information for a drawing,at the least either a board diagram for said board or a circuit diagramfor said circuit, that corresponds to said name, and when one of saidnames displayed on said index page display area is selected, obtainingfrom said index page information said drawing identification informationthat is designated in correlation with said selected name, searching forsaid drawing designated by said thus obtained drawing identificationinformation, and displaying said drawing in a designated drawing displayarea, reading network connection destination information that includesURL information for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto said predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to saidpredetermined server, establishing, in advance for one graphicsprimitive of graphics primitives that are constituents of said drawing,graphics primitive information, which is parts identificationinformation corresponding to said part, and when a predeterminedoperation is performed for one of said graphics primitives thatconstitute said board diagram or said circuit diagram displayed in saiddrawing display area, examining said network connection destinationinformation and generating and displaying menu information that includesa choice for an information search using said predetermined server, whensaid choice is selected in said menu information, employing said partsidentification information included in said graphics primitiveinformation for said selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of said parts is stored with said parts identification informationfor said part, information of a type to be transmitted to saidpredetermined server, employing said method for transmission to saidpredetermined server for transmitting, to said predetermined serverspecified by said URL information, said obtained information of saidtype to be transmitted to said predetermined server, receiving, fromsaid predetermined server, search results information concerning saidinformation search that has been performed, by said predeterminedserver, based on said information transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and displaying said search results information that is received.8. A program transmission apparatus, for transmitting an electronicservice manual display program that permits a computer to provide afunction for displaying, on a display device, information that isrelated to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingsaid parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for said predetermined product but alsosaid parts mounted on said board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on said board, comprising: conversion means forconverting the electronic service manual display program into a digitalsignal sequence, for a communication line or a network, with an addedheader; and transmission means for initiating employment of acommunication protocol with a partner station across the communicationline or the network and transmitting the digital signal sequence,wherein the electronic service manual display program includes the stepsof displaying, in a designated index page display area, an index pageshowing a list of names for, at the least, either said board or saidcircuit, displaying, in a designated parts table page display area, aparts table page showing a list of said parts, establishing in advance,for each of said names published on said index page, index pageinformation, which is drawing identification information for a drawing,at the least either a board diagram for said board or a circuit diagramfor said circuit, that corresponds to said name, and when one of saidnames displayed on said index page-display area is selected, obtainingfrom said index page information said drawing identification informationthat is designated in correlation with said selected name, searching forsaid drawing designated by said thus obtained drawing identificationinformation, and displaying said drawing in a designated drawing displayarea, reading network connection destination information that includesURL information for a predetermined server having an information searchfunction, information indicating an information type to be transmittedto said predetermined server, and search setup information for which isdesignated information indicating a method for transmissions to saidpredetermined server, establishing, in advance for one graphicsprimitive of graphics primitives that are constituents of said drawing,graphics primitive information, which is parts identificationinformation corresponding to said part, and when a predeterminedoperation is performed for one of said graphics primitives thatconstitute said board diagram or said circuit diagram displayed in saiddrawing display area, examining said network connection destinationinformation and generating and displaying menu information that includesa choice for an information search using said predetermined server, whensaid choice is selected in said menu information, employing said partsidentification information included in said graphics primitiveinformation for said selected graphics primitive, and obtaining, fromparts table database information wherein detailed information concerningeach of said parts is stored with said parts identification informationfor said part, information of a type to be transmitted to saidpredetermined server, employing said method for transmission to saidpredetermined server for transmitting, to said predetermined serverspecified by said URL information, said obtained information of saidtype to be transmitted to said predetermined server, receiving, fromsaid predetermined server, search results information concerning saidinformation search that has been performed, by said predeterminedserver, based on said information transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and displaying said search results information that is received.9. A program reception method, for receiving an electronic servicemanual display program that permits a computer to provide a function fordisplaying, on a display device, information that is related to partsand that is used for a predetermined product constituted by an electriccircuit or an electronic circuit employing said parts as components, andat the least either a board diagram that represents not only a boardused for said predetermined product but also said parts mounted on saidboard, or a circuit diagram that represents a circuit provided on saidboard, comprising the steps of: initiating employment of a communicationprotocol with a partner station across a communication line or a networkand receiving a digital signal sequence; and removing headers from thedigital signal sequence and converting the digital signal sequence usedfor a communication line or a network into the original electronicservice manual display program, whereby the electronic service manualdisplay program includes the steps of displaying, in a designated indexpage display area, an index page showing a list of names for, at theleast, either said board or said circuit, displaying, in a designatedparts table page display area, a parts table page showing a list of saidparts, establishing in advance, for each of said names published on saidindex page, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for saidboard or a circuit diagram for said circuit, that corresponds to saidname, and when one of said names displayed on said index page displayarea is selected, obtaining from said index page information saiddrawing identification information that is designated in correlationwith said selected name, searching for said drawing designated by saidthus obtained drawing identification information, and displaying saiddrawing in a designated drawing display area, reading network connectiondestination information that includes URL information for apredetermined server having an information search function, informationindicating an information type to be transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and search setup information for which is designated informationindicating a method for transmissions to said predetermined server,establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of said drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tosaid part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one ofsaid graphics primitives that constitute said board diagram or saidcircuit diagram displayed in said drawing display area, examining saidnetwork connection destination information and generating and displayingmenu information that includes a choice for an information search usingsaid predetermined server, when said choice is selected in said menuinformation, employing said parts identification information included insaid graphics primitive information for said selected graphicsprimitive, and obtaining, from parts table database information whereindetailed information concerning each of said parts is stored with saidparts identification information for said part, information of a type tobe transmitted to said predetermined server, employing said method fortransmission to said predetermined server for transmitting, to saidpredetermined server specified by said URL information, said obtainedinformation of said type to be transmitted to said predetermined server,receiving, from said predetermined server, search results informationconcerning said information search that has been performed, by saidpredetermined server, based on said information transmitted to saidpredetermined server, and displaying said search results informationthat is received.
 10. A program reception apparatus, for receiving anelectronic service manual display program that permits a computer toprovide a function for displaying, on a display device, information thatis related to parts and that is used for a predetermined productconstituted by an electric circuit or an electronic circuit employingsaid parts as components, and at the least either a board diagram thatrepresents not only a board used for said predetermined product but alsosaid parts mounted on said board, or a circuit diagram that represents acircuit provided on said board, comprising: reception means forinitiating employment of a communication protocol with a partner stationacross a communication line or a network and receiving a digital signalsequence; and conversion means for removing headers from the digitalsignal sequence and converting the digital signal sequence used for acommunication line or a network into the original electronic servicemanual display program, wherein the electronic service manual displayprogram includes the steps of displaying, in a designated index pagedisplay area, an index page showing a list of names for, at the least,either said board or said circuit, displaying, in a designated partstable page display area, a parts table page showing a list of saidparts, establishing in advance, for each of said names published on saidindex page, index page information, which is drawing identificationinformation for a drawing, at the least either a board diagram for saidboard or a circuit diagram for said circuit, that corresponds to saidname, and when one of said names displayed on said index page displayarea is selected, obtaining from said index page information saiddrawing identification information that is designated in correlationwith said selected name, searching for said drawing designated by saidthus obtained drawing identification information, and displaying saiddrawing in a designated drawing display area, reading network connectiondestination information that includes URL information for apredetermined server having an information search function, informationindicating an information type to be transmitted to said predeterminedserver, and search setup information for which is designated informationindicating a method for transmissions to said predetermined server,establishing, in advance for one graphics primitive of graphicsprimitives that are constituents of said drawing, graphics primitiveinformation, which is parts identification information corresponding tosaid part, and when a predetermined operation is performed for one ofsaid graphics primitives that constitute said board diagram or saidcircuit diagram displayed in said drawing display area, examining saidnetwork connection destination information and generating and displayingmenu information that includes a choice for an information search usingsaid predetermined server, when said choice is selected in said menuinformation, employing said parts identification information included insaid graphics primitive information for said selected graphicsprimitive, and obtaining, from parts table database information whereindetailed information concerning each of said parts is stored with saidparts identification information for said part, information of a type tobe transmitted to said predetermined server, employing said method fortransmission to said predetermined server for transmitting, to saidpredetermined server specified by said URL information, said obtainedinformation of said type to be transmitted to said predetermined server,receiving, from said predetermined server, search results informationconcerning said information search that has been performed, by saidpredetermined server, based on said information transmitted to saidpredetermined server, and displaying said search results informationthat is received.